As with many trips to Mimi's house, I was asked to offer my design services on the master bedroom. Just a quick weekend job. Nothing too labor intensive or crazy. Mimi was craving some uplifting style to lighten things up.
I imagine it's the same for all my readers who are really great under the hood. Every family get-together, you are summoned to check every member's engine, spark plugs, battery, wheel bearings, alternators, rotors, and niners. Did I just say niner? By the way, please email me if you are a mechanic and you enjoy my blog. Cause that's just awesome. And I may need car help, like, ALL the time.
I guess my point is, God just gives us all different gifts. And people love those family connections. My brother-in-law operates his own Chick-fil-a. Be jealous.
I have strayed from the topic at hand.
If you only have a little cash and a weekend's worth of time to re-do a master, let me give you my fast tips to keep things simple and totally cozy.
BEFORE: Mimi and I had hung these window sheers 10 years ago (I used to be old school). That was before we all knew the sneaky curtain-mounting tricks that helps make standard windows look big and beautiful! She also wanted an option to change out the comforter. The lamps were too tiny for the massive bed. Mimi and Dee are obsessed with antiques. Like OBSESSED. Unfortunately, all these pieces don't seem to work together.
BEFORE
So before I show y'all the AFTER photos, here is my recommend shopping list if you decide to "DIY" your master bedroom this upcoming weekend!
1. Curtains and Rods. New curtains always freshen up a space. Don't go cheap. Use extra long panels. Mimi's bedroom ceiling is only 9 foot high but I still purchased 96 inch panels. Also think extra wide. These are both standard windows, but I bought double-window rods that expanded over 100 inches. This allows way more light in the room and makes the ceiling feel higher.
2. A fresh bedding set. Again, I don't recommend going too cheap. Bedding has to endure a lot of wear and tear (imagine if you wore the same outfit every single day). So keep things durable and soft. Mimi's room was so so dark. I opted for all grey, cream, and white. If you don't want to splurge on the comforter, at least splurge on throw pillows. It's the master suite, make your marriage more romantic with a delicious-looking pillow pile! Everyone wants their master to feel like a special hotel.
3. Lighting. If you want really big bang for your buck, buy new lamps. It's never a dull idea to purchase fresh lighting. Lamps are a big deal and boast serious design influence. Always, ALWAYS purchase matching lamps for either side of the bed. In small rooms especially, symmetry is so vital for the eye.
4. Accessories. This is last on the list because it's the least necessary. So many people head to the store and the first thing they do is purchase accessories. I find that more and more of my clients have loads of accessories and few vital pieces. Accessories can add up quickly. Bite the bullet and use your largest hunk of cash on the more needed items above. If you do decide to drop some dough on accessories, purchase things that mean something to you and are all-season. Accessories can take you much further if they aren't too season specific.
And now...The AFTER Tour!
AFTER: Here you can see the fresh new curtain panels and the new rods. Notice that we carry them to the ceiling and spread them out as far as they can go!
AFTER: New bedding is bright and cheerful. There are a million pillows. How perfect. I added baskets and a BIRCHWOOD sign to this wall to help the older TV seem less intrusive. We switched out the existing chair.
AFTER: New bookshelves were free. You remember my Christmas blog about Mimi, her basement is like a curiosity shop. I found the brackets in a dumpster and the wood scraps were from Dee's barn. She had the antique books and vintage alarm clocks, and everything else in the shelves. I put together the magnolia sprigs and placed them in antique milk jugs. We added the bookshelves because Mimi's room is small. Small rooms should feel cozy and shelves are my newest most favoritist thing on earth. Period.
AFTER: I told y'all, throw pillows are delicious.
AFTER:
AFTER: I made Mimi this wreath. Y'all all know how I feel about wreaths too. And Mimi is a North Carolina girl.
AFTER: We restructured some of Mimi's grandbaby photos atop the armoire.
AFTER
AFTER
You know I love you mom. I'll always re-design your bedroom for you. Hopefully in 10 years we won't think I was as old-school!
XOXO
Ashley